I, who just wanted to be lazy, was forced to become the Hokage.

Chapter 363 The A-Rank Immortal Technique of Dragon Cave!

Nara Rinka and Tsunade had a brief discussion about the general framework of the "Konoha Elders Assassination Plan".

The two then parted ways in front of the Senju clan's mansion.

If possible, Nara Rinka would certainly like to stay overnight on the Senju clan's territory.

It would be even better if I could sleep in Tsunade's room!

However, it was clear that Tsunade had no intention of letting him stay to sleep.

A fleeting, light kiss was all it took to send Nara Ranka away.

For Tsunade, both the already happened "severing Orochimaru's two arms" and the upcoming "wood release to execute Danzo Shimura" are major events that require careful discussion with her clan.

After all, the election for the Fourth Hokage of Konoha Village is about to begin.

Orochimaru and his backer Danzo Shimura formed a very powerful force in the election, and could even be considered one of the only two competitors for Nara's chancellorship.

Orochimaru is now seriously injured. Losing both hands is a significant weakening of combat power for any ninja, and this one of the Legendary Sannin has basically bid farewell to his campaign for the Fourth Hokage.

Konoha will not accept a Hokage who doesn't even have an arm!

Nara Rinka and Tsunade's actions tonight can be said to have directly eliminated a competitor.

Such a major event naturally required consultation with the other ninjas of the Senju clan.

It's not just the Thousand Hands Clan.

Before parting ways, Tsunade specifically instructed Nara Ranke to convey Orochimaru's information to the head of the Nara clan—well, actually the old head of the clan, Nara Shikano.

The Ino-Shika-Cho trio have also joined the election for the Fourth Generation leader, and we absolutely cannot ignore them at this time.

Logically speaking, Tsunade could have directly discussed the follow-up campaign plans with Nara Rankei.

But who told her to promise Nara Rinkazu that when she encouraged him to run for Hokage, he would be a mascot Hokage who only enjoyed the rights and did not fulfill the obligations?

Therefore, they can only continue to "suffer" with the Senju clan and the other ninjas of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans...

A shadow creature emerged from the shadows of Nara Rinka, carrying him as it slowly flew out of Konoha Village.

"I always felt that the Hokage election wasn't a big deal, but Tsunade and the clan head are taking it way too seriously..."

Nara Rankei shook his head as he recalled the message Tsunade had just given him.

To be honest, in his opinion, to successfully run for the Fourth Hokage, all he needed to do was win over two target individuals.

Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Minato Namikaze.

Just these two.

Especially the former.

Ultimately, Konoha is a completely semi-military organization!

The so-called "democratic elections" are just a facade to mask the cold, hard nature of this military institution.

Only the strongest ninja in the village is qualified to become a Kage.

This is the most irrefutable truth since the founding of Konoha!

Especially at this particular juncture, with the Third Shinobi World War having just concluded.

Given Nara's current strength and achievements.

If he himself is proactive and determined to become Hokage.

They didn't even need the assistance of Tsunade, the Nara clan, the Yamanaka clan, the Akimichi clan, the Senju clan, or others.

Nara Rinka could easily take the Five-Tails Kokuo and storm all the way from the Konoha gates to the Hokage Building, then invite Hiruzen Sarutobi to the Hokage's residence and ask him, "Third Hokage, have you been troubled by any questions lately?"

Unfortunately, both Tsunade and her family chose a peaceful election strategy.

Okay...

Nara Rinkazu's mind stirred slightly, and he separated a [shadow clone], leaving the task of delivering the message to the other party, while he silently summoned the control panel.

It's time to open the A-rank [Ninja Scroll] I just obtained after defeating Orochimaru!

Previously, Nara Rinka quickly obtained a C-rank secret scroll from Yokura.

Perhaps because Yekura had been neglecting her studies for too long, the C-rank scroll didn't yield any useful ninjutsu; it was just a fairly ordinary C-rank wind-style ninjutsu.

Nara Rinka only glanced at the general contents of the C-rank Wind Release technique manual before deciding to throw it into the storage room of the underground research institute.

That wind-style technique doesn't even qualify to be included in the [Sealing Scroll].

However, Orochimaru's A-rank secret scroll is of a completely different quality!

"I've fought Orochimaru a few times before, but none of them have dealt him such a severe blow, both physically and mentally, as this time. So, I hope this A-rank [Ninja Scroll] will yield some good stuff!"

Nara Rinka took a deep breath and unrolled the scroll.

[Opening...]

[This Rank A Ninja Scroll includes: Techniques]

[Rank A Technique: Immortal Art - Inorganic Rebirth]

[Spell Description: To breathe life into the inorganic earth!]

[Spell Effect: Infuses Sage Chakra into inorganic matter, greatly increasing control over it and allowing the user to manipulate its form at will.]

[Skill Evaluation: I'm playing in the mud in a burrow]

"Wow?! Immortal arts! And it's genuine Ryuchi Cave immortal arts!"

Nara Rinka's eyes lit up as he looked at the A-rank technique [Immortal Technique: Inorganic Rebirth] on the panel.

There are very few techniques that can arouse his interest nowadays.

Even the "noble" S-rank technique might not have any effect on Nara Rinka.

Just like the S-rank technique [Wind Release: Rasengan] that we obtained before...

But magic is a different story.

Nara Rinkazu is pursuing his own unique "Sage Mode," and he has a strong desire to explore and discover all kinds of Sage Techniques.

This [Immortal Technique: Inorganic Rebirth] has arrived just in time!

"Last time we got an A-rank [Sage Art: Thousand Needles of Hair] from Jiraiya, and this time we got an A-rank [Sage Art: Inorganic Reincarnation] from Orochimaru. These two really know how to produce good stuff!"

"The only regret is that although Orochimaru's normal strength is enough to be rated as Kage, his upper limit is too low. He can't reach S-rank and can't produce S-rank [Ninja Scrolls] like Sage Jiraiya."

"Otherwise, we could try to obtain the exclusive Sage Mode training materials from Ryuchi Cave..."

"Hmm? Speaking of which, does Orochimaru actually know Sage Mode?"

"Or is it that he can only manipulate Sage Chakra, but can't enter a true Sage Mode state?"

Nara Rinkazu recalled the several techniques he had "obtained" from Orochimaru.

Pseudo-Immortal Technique: Sky Blade.

True Immortal Technique: Inorganic Rebirth.

The mastery of these ninjutsu abilities has proven that Orochimaru can indeed manipulate natural energy, and even synthesize Sage Chakra.

However, Orochimaru himself did not exhibit any characteristics of a sage.

That unique snake-shaped eyeshadow was something Orochimaru had since childhood, not something he came from Ryuchi Cave.

Nara Rinka carefully recalled his recent encounter with Orochimaru, and a sentence suddenly flashed through his mind.

The Orochimaru we know now... doesn't seem like a human... but rather like something wearing human skin...

Nara Rinka, based on the intelligence he possessed, made a rough guess.

"Could it be that Orochimaru failed in his training of Sage Mode at Ryuchi Cave, and although he gained the ability to manipulate Sage Chakra, it also caused problems with his soul?"

"Orochimaru's soul transformed into... what? The White Phosphorus Serpent?"

(End of this chapter)